Drier mechanism for envelope machines



y 29, 1952 v. E. HEYWOOD DRIER MECHANISM FOR ENVELOPE MACHINES Filed April 1'7, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v wa /1, 253? f July 29, 1952 V. E. H EYWOOD DRIER MECHANISM FOR ENVELQPE MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17, 1948 y 29, 1952 v. E. HEYWOOD 2,604,829

DRIER MECHANISM FOR ENVELOPE MACHINES Filed April 17, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1720572231": 147258721 EfJflywaad Patented July 29, 1952 DRIER MECHANISM FOR ENVELOPE I ,MACHINES Vincent E. Heywood, Worcester, Mass, assignor to United States Envelope Company, Springfield, Masa, a corporation'of Maine Application April 17, 1948, SerialNo.21,673 v 12 Claims.

The present invention relates to envelope machines, and more particularly to drying mechanisms which are adapted to be employed in conjunction with an envelope machine for the purpose of drying, for example, the gummed portions of each envelopes seal-fiap before the envelopes are stacked together; it being understood that the adhesives which are applied to the seal- 7 flap of an envelope require an appreciable drying time before the envelopes can be safely stacked together without the danger of any seal flap becoming adhered to its own envelope, or to the adjacently stacked envelopes.

Drying mechanisms have been employed in conjunction with envelope machines for many years. The most common form of drying mechanism in use today, comprises a sprocket-driven endless chain made up of a plurality of envelopeengaging fingers which are pivotally secured together in the manner of chain links. More specifically, such a chain of fingers is adapted to be trained over a plurality of suitably spaced power-driven sprockets which drive the chain at a constant speed, and in one direction only. A drier chain of this character is disclosed in a United States Patent No. 1,006,645 of'Froehlich.

In such prior drier mechanisms, the successive envelopes, with their seal-flaps freshly gummed,

are adapted to be inserted between adjacently disposed chain fingers, as the latter pass over and about a pair of laterally spaced sprocket wheels, by a feeding mechanism which is located adjacent to and outside the confines of the drier chain; it being understood that the outer portions 0:5 adjacent fingers will be spread apart as they traverse through an arc, to the end that an envelope may be readily inserted therebetween. An envelope-removing mechanism is likewise positioned adjacent to and outside the confines of the drier chain, so as to remove the successive dried envelopes from between the outer portions of the chain fingers as the latter pass through an are about a pair of laterally spaced sprocket wheels. After such removal of the envelopes from the chain fingers, a suitable stacking mech anism is usually employed to assemble the QIKVB'.

lopes together in easily manageable groups. I

Experience with mechanisms of the; above noted type has shown that although envelopes may be readily fed to the chain fingers at extremely high rates of speeds, the speed at which the envelopes can be removed from the chain fingers is definitely limitedby the nature of the method, and thecharacter of the stacking mechanism employed in the operation; 'Thus, the speed at which the conveyor chain may 2 travel has, in the past, been limited by the speed of operation of the envelope-removing and stacking mechanisms.

To understand this problem more thoroughly, it should be understood that it has been the practice heretofore to withdraw each envelope from between'the'chain' fingers by a movement which is the reverse in direction of its delivery thereto. That is to say,each envelope is withdrawn from the chain fingers as the latter in passing about a pair of laterally spaced sprocket wheels are spread apart at their extremeouter portions. Since the peripheral or surface speed of theouter portions of the chain fingers, and consequently that of the envelopes disposed therebetween, is relatively high as the chains pass about the sprocket wheels, the mechanical problem incident to so removing the envelopes has been most perplexing. In other words, to remove the envelopes successively from the "most rapidly moving portions of the drier chainor conveyor, as the latter passes about a'pair of sprocket wheels, without obstructing the chain movement and disturbing the other envelopes thereon, presents problems which heretofore have never been solved in a simple and practicable manner. It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide a drienmechanism which will be capable of extremely high-speed operation, in the absence of any of the handicaps noted above to. the rapid removal therefrom of successive dried envelopes. 11 I I A further object of the present invention is to provide a drier mechanism which, although capable of .such extremely highspeed operation, is, at the sametima iree of complex reciprocating mechanical elements, todthe end that the mechanism may be quiet in operation and inex-v pensively maintained in operative condition.

A further object of the present invention is to providea drier mechanism which will require a minimum amount offioor'space for its support. .The, foregoing objects, and others ,ancillary thereto, have been attained bythe provision of an improved conveyor mechanism comprising a pair of endless laterally spaced roller chains which are adapted to carry therebetweena multiplicity of specially constructed envelope-engag ing fingers so designed that the envelopes may be inserted therebetween from a location outside the confines of the chain," while, at the same time,

permitting the successive dried envelopes tofbe withdrawn from the drierchain-by a continua tion in each case of the inserting movement and thusin alo'cation'within the confinesofthe chains. By reason of this construction, the envelope-removing and stacking mechanisms may be located within the confines of the chains and adjacent a pair of laterally spaced sprocket wheels, enabling the successive dried envelopes to be withdrawn directly from between the inner end portionsof the chain fingers,-,th'e se-last portions inetheir'p'assage around the chain sprockets, traveling at a substantially slower peripheral speed than the outer ends of the fingers. Such removing and stacking mechanisms to be located within the confines of the chains, and this requires no extra floor space fo'r the-support ofsaid mechanisms. novel drier and conveyor chain, the present invention also contemplates theprovisi-onof-an efficient and meritorious suction roll for so withdrawing the successive dried envelopes from between the chain fingers.

Withxth'e above .andgrotherf objects in View; as will hereinafter appear, the-invention comprises the devices, combinations, andxarrangements' of parts-hereinafter set forth and illustratedtiin the accompanying drawings otaapreferred embodimentof the invention, from which the several features of the invention and the advantages attainedthereby willreadily be understood by those skilled in the art. I

Fig. 1 represents aside elevation view of my improved drier, with one portion of the frame thereof removed'so as toillust'ra'te the mechanis'm more clearly.- v

Fig. 2 represents a fragmentary large scale View of a portion-of the drier chain-, as viewed substantially in the direction of the arrow 2 of Fig. I; so as to clearly illustrate said- 'chainsrenvelope -c'arrying fingers.

Fig. 3 represents a: partial side view, on an enlarged scale, Ofcertain'partSof the envelope stacking mechanism that-do'not appear in- Fig. 1.

Fig; irepresentsa-typ e of-envelope-which is adaptedto 'havethe-gummed surface of its seallngrflap driedin the present' mechanism.

, .Fig; 5grepresents, on' an 'enlarged scale; asece tional view takensubstantiallyalong-the gline 55 of.Fig. 1. s

' 'Fig.p6"represents"a sectional viewrtaken substantially along the line's-+6 of Fig.5.

Fig..'7 'representsa large scale sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line T--'! of Fig, 1.

Fig. 8 represents a sectionaliview taken sub"- ;stantially along. the lineBf-B of Fig; '7.

' Referringparticularly to. Fig. 1, the present mechanism comprises amachine base In which isadapted 'to .rest'directly. upon a floor surface. Projecting upwardlyfrom this machine base In is a substantially rectangular shaped frame having onlyone side portion, thereof illustrated'in Fig. 1; '-More-, specifically, therfr'ame comprises suitableuprightmembers, and I2 which rest directly upon thebasemember. i0; and which, are

connected together at jtheir upper portions by means ,of atop-frameor-frontal portion l3. The undisclosed portion of this frame is substantially aduplicate. of the members ll, l2 and I3 described .above, and the two such frame portions maybe suitably secured together by brace members ina conventional fashion.

. Suitabl-y journalled upon the frame, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, are a pluralityofpairs of small laterally spaced sprocket wheels-=14, Myas well as a plurality of pairs of simila-rlydisposed large sprocket wheels l5, l5. Over thesesprockets are trained a pair of endless In conjunction with this v1'0. an arrangement enables the entire envelopearticulated roller chains which are generally designated by the numerals l6, [6. These chains l6, l6 have secured upon them, in a manner as will be more fully described hereinafter, a plurality of envelope-carrying fingers, which are generally designated by the numeral [7. As known by those skilled in the art, such drier chains receivesuccessive envelopes between their fingers and convey same through the atmosphere, or through an oven, for the purpose of drying the gummed surfaces of the envelope sealing. flaps before the envelopes are stacked together.

Forthe purpose of so conveying the envelopes, the present device is provided with a suitable means for driving the roller chains l6, 16. More specifically, thechain driving means comprises a motor [8 which may be bolted. directly upon the base member Ill. This motor has a power shaft l9 which is coupled to a power take-off shaft 20, by way of a conventional gear box 2|. The shaft 20 is, in turn, connected witha horizontally disposed sprocket-supportingshaft-22 by-means-of a suitable. worm and worm wheel connection which is designated generally by the numeral 23. The shaft 22 may'besupported upon thebase by suitable uprightbrackets 24, 24 only one of which is disclosed herein. One pair of largesprockets I5 is fastened upon the shaft 22, and thus, actuation of the motor I3 will rotate the sprockets H5 in a direction such that the roller chains, along with their envelope-gripping fingers, will be-conveyed in the direction of the arrows 25, 25.

As-mentioned above, the presentdrier mechanism is adapted to beused in conjunction with any standard type ofenvelope making machine and thus, in the presentdrawings, no envelope making machine is illustrated. However, in. Figs. 1 and 5, is shown'a plurality of oppositelydisposed endlessieeding' belts or bands-25', 26, by which successive'envelopes produced'by an envelope making machine may be-delivered to the present drying mechanism: The belts: or bands 26, 26' maybe suitably powered by means not herein, shown, for the purpose of delivering successive-,envelopes'from an envelope machine directly to the envelope-carrying fingers of the present drying mechanism.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 5 and 6, it is to be noted that the feeding bands 26, 26

- are located adjacent one of the pairs of small sprockets l4, [4. These particular'sprockets are each mounted upon the opposite end portions of a rotatable horizontally disposed shaft Z'I-Which is mounted between the upright frame members l2, [2, so as to be rotated in response to the movements of the roller chains I6, 16. Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and. 5, it will be understood that each of the roller chains l6, I6 is substantially conventional in form, with the exception that the connecting links along the inner and opposing sides of both chains are formed as bracket elements 28, 28. It will also be noted that these bracket members are apertured so as to have mounted between each oppositely disposed pair, one ofthe above noted envelope gripping fingers, which are specifically designated by the numeral'29. Referring particularly to Fig. 5, it will 'be understood that *each of these fingers 29 comprises a substantially flat member havingoppositely extending ear portions '30, 30. Each of these ears 30 is apertured forthe reception of a bolt 3i, which is adapted removably to secure-the ear-to one of the oppositely disposed bracket members 28. A spacer element 32 may bedisposed between the bracket 28 and the finger ear .30, while a nut 33 tightens the entire assembly together. From this it will be understood that the envelope-carrying fingers may be readilyremoved from the chains for the purpose of repair without disrupting the chains proper. All of the envelope gripping fingers 29 are similarly disposed between the spaced chains I6, I6. Thus each finger has each of its opposite side portions removably secured to a link of a respective one of said two-chains so that the plane of the finger is disposed substantially at right angles to the chain courses. Furthermore, the outer and inner ends of each plate or finger extends outside and inside, respectively, of the path of travel of the chains.

Referring now to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the roller chains are disposed at an upwardly inclined angle between the drive sprockets I5 and the adjacently' disposed sprockets I4, I After leaving the sprockets I4, !4 adjacent the envelope 1 that the endless bands 26, 26 are adapted to deliver envelopes from the envelope machine, in a manner such as to feed each envelope, bottom fold foremost, directly between a pair of the adjacent fingers-which are thus opened up or spread apart by the passage of the drier chain assembly around the sprockets I4, I4. In the illustrated embodimentof the invention, each envelope is adapted to bedelivered between the spaced apart chain fingers, in a manner such that the bottom or folded-over portion of the envelope will be directed toward the sprocket shaft 27, While the open seal-flap of the envelope will project out-1.

wardly from the outer end portions of the fingers, with the wet gummed portion of the seal-flap disposed upwardly. The bands 26, 26 operate at a sufficient speed so that each envelope may be properly inserted between each pair of the chain fingers, while the latter are being continually carried about the drier frame by their associated roller chains. After the spaced-apart fingers, which are disclosed in Fig. 6, have passed upwardly a'short distance, they will, of course, be closed together in a manner as particularly illustrated in Fig. 2. From Fig. 2, it will be observed that the formation of these fingers secures a slight flexure or undulation of the freshly gummed seal-'- fiaps of "the envelopes, as shown by broken lines 34 in Fig. 2, whereby is overcome any tendency which they might have for one to curl or bend toward the next, and cause contact and sticking together of said seal-flaps. each finger is, formed as a wing-shaped element having a pair of spaced projections 35, 35 formed along one surface thereof, while the opposite surface is provided with a central projectiontfi.

Still referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the central projection 38 of one finger cooperates with the projections 35, 35 of an adjacently disposed finger, to (the. end that the envelope 34 is held'in a'slightlyundulated condition (see broken lines Fig. 2)'betweentwo adjacent finger elements. These cooperating projections .will, of course, prevent the envelopes from shifting relative to the fingers, during the travel of the fingers about the drier frame.

Referring to Figs. 5 and ;6, it will be understood'thatthe endless bands 26, 26 will function to deliver each envelope 34 directly between an More specifically;

. posed brace member 38 carried between the upwardly extending portions of the frame elements I2, I2. The free end portion of each of the elements 31, 31 may be appropriately curved about the sprocket shaft 21, to the end that they will act as positive stops for the envelopes as the same are projected between the drier chain fingers.

It will be understood that pairs of similar stop elements, not shown, are provided in the vicinity of each of the upper pairs of sprockets I4, I4, Fig. 1, where, by reason of a change in the direction of conveyor movement, the grip on each envelope of the coacting chain fingers or leaves II, I1 is momentarily relaxed. Each envelopes bottom edge rests against such stop elements until the grip of the fingers or leaves I1, I! is restored. It will also be observed that the outer portion 39 of each of the drier chain fingers or wings is shaped generally in a manner so as to correspond with the free end portion of the sealing-flap of an envelope, whereas the rear portion of each wing is provided with a cutout 40 defined by a pair of spaced inward projections II, M. The function of these cutout portions 40 will be hereinafter more fully described.

The power driven roller chains will thus carry the various adjacently positioned envelope fingers or wings upwardly past the endless bands 26, 25 and over the top portion of the frame.

As may be noted in Fig. 1, the two chains I6, I6 may be suitably engaged by a chain support rack 42 whichis disposed along the upper horizontal portion of the frame, so as to prevent the chains, and consequently the envelope fingers, from sagging while the chains are disposed in a horizontal position. If desired, suitable hot air ducts, not shown, may be positioned over the top and side portions of the drier frame, so as to direct hot air toward the envelopes for the purpose 'of drying their gummed sealing flaps. However, since such heating elements form no part of the present invention, they are not disclosed or described herein. After the fingers traverse the length of the upper horizontal portion of the frame, they will then move downwardly along the other side or end of the drier frame, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to pass over the idler sprockets I4, I4, after which they are delivered at an inwardly, sloping angle toward the large idler sprockets I5, I5. It will be noted from Fig. 1 that there is located adjacent these last mentioned sprockets I4, I4, an envelope stacking table 43 which is situated entirely within the confines of the drier chain, and, as shown, is supported upon the base member ID by suitable upright legs 44, 44.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, '7 and 8, it will be observed that when the conveyor chains pass downwardly about the periphery of the idler sprockets I4, I4, their direction of travel is slightly altered, since they are trained over the idler sprockets I5, I5, which are out of line with the idler sprockets I4, I4. This action, will, of course cause the outer portions of the chain fingers 29, 29 to shift relative to each other in a manner as particularly illustrated in Fig. 8. More specifically, it is to be noted'that this change in direction of the conveyor chains is such'that an adjacent pair of chain fingers will fin er "have their outer ort on ep ed t eie tlv to. nab e a envelope o be: w t d awn w thou difi wltvimm h eket r-- p e betwe sa i al o to be obs ed a t relative movement of adjacent chain fingers is never great enough to cause the inwardly exendiospe tlen 4 of the fi ers o pinch the envelope 311d thus prevent the removal of the same from between anadjacently disposed pair of fingers. According to my invention the withdr al of e e envel e om he bove e c be dr e ch nss mbl is b a nwa movement of same past these inwardly extending portions 4|, 4! of the fingers, suchmovemen be ns'th s an extension eontin at on o th en el pes nterin mov m n nto: th drie eh i bu t kin pl ce n t e ppos rection e ause ea en e o e n t e course of dr has beenbod v c r ed by t ed r throu h p xlmatelva 0;- at Suc w thdescribed, which is within the confines of the drier chain and thus. takes up no additional valuable floor space in the envelope factory. Anyv suitable means for effecting withdrawal in this inward direction may be employed; as here shown such withdrawal is obtained by a novel and highly effective suction roller 45.

This suction roller 45 comprises a cylindrical shell 46 whichis closed .at its ends, and which is carried upon oppositely extending stub shafts 41, 41 which, in turn, are suitably journaled in the oppositelydisposed endwalls of a suction box This suction box is hollow, and is provided at its upper portion with acover plate 49 apertured in a manner so .as to permit a portion of the suction roller 45 to projecttherethrough. As may be observed in Fig. 8,-this suction box has suitably connected with its lower portion, an air hose 5D, the other end of which may be coupled to a vacuum pump apparatus 5|, Fig. 1. Inthe illustrated embodiment of my invention, this vacuum pump apparatus 5| is mounted directly upon the drier base l0, so as to be driven by the motor I8 through the medium of an extension I9 of the motor shaft [9; Thus, the rotation of the motor 18 will create, through the medium of the vacuum pump 5 I, a partial vacuu within the suction box 48.

Asmay be particularly observed from Figs. 7 and 8, the suction box '48 is located between the idler sprocket wheels l4, l4 at a location just below the axis of the sprockets. In order to leave space for the successively dried envelopes to pass freely, without obstruction, over the suction roller 48, each of the idler sprockets I4, I4 is mounted upon its own stub shaft 52 which is suitably mounted on arespective one of the upright'frame members I I, I I. It Will also be noted that as the successive chain fingers, or wings, move downwardlyalong the left-hand end of the conveyor frame and about the idler sprockets l4, l4 each is enabled to clear the vacuum box 48, as shown in Fig. 7, by virtue of its cutout portion 40. Furthermore, such cutout portion 40 enables the overlying area of each dried and released envelope to be seized .and withdrawn inwardly by the upwardly projecting portion of the suction roller 45.

Thepresent invention also contemplates the provision of means for rotating the suction roller '45 in a'clockwise direction, as viewed inFig. 8. More specifically, this means includes ,a, sprocket wheel 53 which is made fast upon the end portion of one of the roller stub shafts 41. A sprocket chain 54 is adapted to be trained over the sprocket wheel 53 for the purpose of driving the suction roller 45 at a constant speed during the operation of the drier mechanism. The specific means for actuating the chain 54 will be more fully described hereinafter.

Referring now to Fig. 8, it will be manifest that as the suction roller 45 rotates in a clockwise direction, it will tend to draw each envelope from between the successive pairs of chain fingers, as the latter elements descend past the vacuum box 48. Since the vacuum roller 45 is perforated, the vacuum maintained within the box 48 will be effective to cause the air pressure above the envelope to force the body or folded'portion of the envelope in intimate contact with the exposed periphery of the roller and thus, as the roller rotates, the envelope will be fed in a right-hand direction, as viewed in Fig. 8.. Since each of the sprockets l4, M are mounted on stub shafts 5.2, 52, it will be observed that there is no obstruction to prevent the envelopes from being withdrawn from between the successive chain fingers. The speed of rotation of the roller 45 is maintained at a sufficient rate to enable the roller to withdraw an envelope completely from between one pair of dsecending chain fingers before the next pair of fingers can present a fresh envelope to the roller. Furthermore, since the peripheral speed of the inner portions of the fingers, or wings, is substantially less than that of the outer portions thereof, it will be appreciated that the suction roller, being located within the confines of the drier, will be able to withdraw the envelopes from between the fingers with greater facility than if it were located at the outer periphery of the drier. Still referring to Figs. 1, '7 and 8, it is to be noted that the left-hand end portion of the stacking table 43 is provided with a pair of spacedapart upstanding wall sections 55, 55. Between these wall sections may be mounted a pair of upper and lower feed rolls 56 and 51. These rolls are disposed in a conventional manner so as to receive therebetween the envelopes as they are delivered from the suction roll 45. More specifically, each of these rolls has its opposite end portions suitably journaled within the wall sections 55, 55. Also projectiing from one end of each of these rolls is a stub shaft 58, upon which may be secured a gear 59. These gears 59, 59 are adapted to mesh together as shown in Fig. 3, and a sprocket 68, secured upon the stub shaft of the lower roll 51, functions to drive the two rollers in synchronism. Referring particularly to Fig. 3, the sprocket has trained over it a roller chain 6| which, alongwith the suction roller chain 54, may be suitably driven by a motor 62 through the medium of a chain 63 and a countershaft 64.

Referring to Figs. 3, 7 and 8, it will be observed that the vacuum box 48, in the illustrated embodiment of my invention, is secured directly to the left-hand end portion of the table 43 through the medium of a bracket 65 and suitable bolts 66, 86.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that as the suction roller 45 withdraws an envelope from between a pair of chain I assists i 9 flaps of the so delivered envelopes, following which, suitable envelope stacking mechanism may be provided on the table for grouping the drier frame over which the conveyor is trained}, may take various forms different from that illustrated in Fig. 1, without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention. Those skilled in the-art, will understand that the present chain and chain-finger construction, along with its cooperating envelope-removing mechanism, makes for a most efiicient and meritorious envelope drier mechanism. which is particularly adapted 'for high-speedfoper'ation, 'and'which, atthe same time, requires a minimum amount of .fioor space for its accommodation. V

I claim: 7 1. An} envelope drying mechanism having, in combination, first and second pairs of wheel elementswith the wheel elements of each pair being laterally spaced and coaxially aligned, a pair of endless laterally spaced and parallel conveyor so that said chains will be caused to alter their. direction of movement as they pass over said wheel elements, a plurality of envelope-carrying fingers disposed between" and carried by said chains, means for moving said chains in unison, means disposed outside of the path of said chains and adjacent said first pair of wheel elements for successively inserting envelopes between said fingers, stationary means disposed within the confines of said chains and adjacent the common axis ofsaid first pair of wheelelements for cooperatingwith said last mentioned means in the positioning'o'f, said envelopes between said fingers, anIenvelop-receiving table dispose d Within the confines of said chains, and means including suction means disposed within the confines of said chains 'anddirectly between the wheel elements of "said second pair of wheel elements for successively. withdrawing envelopes from between 2. Anenvelope drying mechanism having, in combination, first and second pairs of wheel elements with the Wheel elements of each pair being laterallyspaced and coaxially aligned, a pair of endless laterally .spacedland parallel conveyor chains trained in -a horizo'ntally elongated path over said first and second pairs of wheel elements so that saidchains will be caused toalter their directions of movement as they pass over said wheel elements, a plurality of envelope carrying fingers mounted between and iipon said chains, each of said fingers' being formed as a plate-like element with its inner edge portion being disposed Since such fiap folding means and saidfingersand for delivering them to said table. I

within .Ith confines of said chains and having c suchinner jedge portion formed intermediate its ends vvitlialeutout, means for moving saidchains in unison, means disposed outside of the path of saifdcl'iains-fand adjacent saidfirst pair of wheel elements for successively inserting envelopes bewithin thecon'fine's of said chainsand. adjacent the'e'ommonaxis or said first pair of wheel eletween, said fingers, .stationary' means disposed 10 means in the positioning of said envelopes tween said fingers, an envelope-receiving table disposed within the confines of said chains, and means including suction means disposed within the confines of said chains and directly between the wheel. elements of said second pair of Wheel elements and within the cutout portions of said moving fingers for successively withdrawing envelopes from between said fingers, and for delivering them to said table.

3. An envelope drying mechanism having, in

combination, several pairs of wheel elements with the wheel elements of each pair being laterally I spaced and coaxially aligned, a pair of endless laterally spaced and parallel conveyor chains trained in a horizontally elongated path over said edge portion being disposed within the confines of said chains and having such inner edge por tion'i'ormed intermediate its ends with a cutout, means ior moving said chains in unison, means disposed outside of the path of said chains and adjacent one of said pairs of wheel elements for successively inserting envelopes between said fingers, and means disposed within the confines of said chains and directly between the wheel elements of one ofsaid pairs of Wheel e ements and within, the cutout portions of said moving nngers for successively withdrawing envelopes from be-,

tween said'fingers.

4. An envelope drying mechanism having, in

combination, several pairs of wheel elements with the wheel elements oreach pair being lat: erally spaced and coaxially aligned, a pair of endless laterally spaced and parallel conveyor chains trained in a horizontally elongated path over said pairs of wheel elements so that said chains will be caused to alter their directions or movement as they pass over said wheel elements,

a plurality of envelope-carrying fingers mounted between and upon said chains, each or said fingers being Iormed as a plate-like element with its inner edge portion being disposed within the confines oI saidchains and havingsuch inner edge portion formed intermediate its endsI with ia cutout, means for moving said chains in unison,-

means disposed outside of the path of saidchains and adjacent one of said pairs of wheel elements for successively inserting envelopes between said fingers, and means includinga rotatable suction roller disposed within the confines of said chains and directly between the wheel elements of one; of said pairs oi Wheel elements andwithin cutout portions of said moving fingers ior successively withdrawing said fingers.-

5. An envelope drying mechanism having, combination, several pair s o f wheel elements with the wheel elements of each pairbeing laterally spaced and coaxially aligned, a pair offendless laterally spaced and parallel {conveyor chains trained in a horizontally elongated path overi pairs of wheel elements so that said cl ainskwillk be caused to alter their directions of movement as they pass over said wheel elements, a plurality of envelope-carrying fingers mounted between anduponsaid chains, each of said fingers being; formed as a plate-like element with itsjinner.v edge portion being disposed within the-confines g t j p fdtm 'with said last mentioned 7 of saidchains and its outer end portion being dis,

envelopes from between 1-1- posed asubstantial distance from said chains, means projecting from one face of each of said fingers so as normally to engage the other face of its adjacently disposed finger whenever said chains are traversing a substantially straight path,- means for moving said chains in unison, means disposed outside'of the path of-sai-dchains and 'adjacent one of said pairs of wheel elements for successively inserting envelopes between said fingers as the outer edges of the latter separate in moving about such wheel elements, stationary means disposed within theconfines of said chains andfadja'cent the common axis of said first mentioned'pair of wheel elements for cooperating with-said last mentioned means in the positioning of. saidenvelopes between said fingers, an envelope-receiving table disposed within the confines o1 said'chains and suction means disposed within tl'ie confines of said chains and directly be: tween thewheel elements of oneof saidpairs of wheel. elements for successively withdrawing en velopes from-between said'fingersas the outer portions thereof separate in passing about said wheel elements and for'delivering the envelopes tos a-id table.

'fiz An envelope drying mechanism having, in combination, several pairs of wheel elements with the wheel elementsof each-pair being laterally sp'acedand 'coaxi'ally aligned,a pairof endless laterally spaced and parallel conveyor chains trained in a horizontally elon'gatedpath over said pairs of wheel elements so thatsa-id chainswill be 'causedto-alter their direction of movement as they pass over saidwheel elements, a-plurality of envelope-carrying fingers disposed along and securedto and between said chains in-closely spaced relation with each other so that eachfinger engages its neighborexcept when-itisdrawn about said wheels,- means ior moving said chains in unison about saidwheels, each Ofsaid-fingers being formed as a plate-like element with its ina direction at right angles to the axis of said wheels, means disposed outside of the "patlrof said chains and adjacent one ofs aid 'pairs of wheel elements I for successively inserting envelopes between said fingers as they spread-fanwise relative to' each other while being drawn-about such wheel elements, stationary means disposed withinthe confinesof said chains and adjacent the common axis of said last mentionedpair of wheel elements for arresting the movement of the envelopes as the latter are fed between said fingers by said last mentioned'means thereby to position the forward edge of each envelope a substantial distance within the confines of said chains, and means including a rotatable suction roller disposed within the confin'esofsaid' chains 7. An envelope drying mechanism having, in

combination, two upper and two-lower horizontally spaced pairs of wheel elements; the wheel elements of each pair being laterally spaced and coaxially aligned, each ofsaid lower pairs'being -75lsub'stantially vertical course for withdrawing" disposed beneath a respective one of said upper pairs, a pair of endless laterally-spaced and par-'- allel' conveyor chains trained in a horizontally elongated path over said pairs of wheel elements thereby to enclose a substantially rectangular shaped area, a plurality of envelope-carrying fingers disposed along and secured to and between said chains in closely spaced relation with each other-so that each finger-engages its neighbor except when it is drawn about said wh'eels, means for moving said chains in unison about said wheels, means disposed outside of the-path; of said-chains and adjacent one of said lower' pairs of wheel'elements for successively'inserting envelopes between said fingers as they spread fanwise relative to each other while being drawn about such lower wheel elements, an envelope receiving table disposed within the confines ofsaid chains and between said two lower pairs ofwheel elements, and means disposed within the confines of said chains and directly betweenthe' coaxially aligned, each of said lowerpairs beingdisposed beneath a respective one of saidupper' pairs-,a pair of endless laterally spacedandpar allel conveyor chains trained in a horizontally elongated path over said pairs of wheel elements.

thereby to enclose a substantially rectangular shaped area, a plurality of envelope-carrying fingers disposed along and secured to and be'-' tween said chains in closely spaced relation with each other so that each finger engages its neighbor except when it is drawn about said wheels, means for moving said chains in unison about saidwheels, means disposed outside of-the'path of'said chains and adjacent one of said lower pairs of wheel elements for successively inserting envelopes between said fingers as they spread, fanwise-relative toeach other while being-drawn about such lower wheel elements, an envelope-1" receivingtable disposed within the confines of said chains and between said two lower pairs of wheel elements, and means including a'suctionroller disposed withinthe-confinesof said chains and directly betweenthe' wheels of the other of said lower pairs of wheel elements for jsuc cessively withdrawing envelopes from-"between saidfinge'rs and for delivering the envelopes to saidtable as said fingers spread fanwise'rel'ative to each other while "being drawn "about'such wheel-elements.

'9. in drier mechanism for envelope machines,

an endless conveyor having opposite substantially vertical courses 'and' opposite substantially hori zontal courses, and comprising two parallel later allyispaced chains connected formovementjln unison; with aseries of 'closely s'p'aced leaves'or fingerssuppqrted at their endsby 's'aid'chairrs and extending transversely between'th'em, to'pr'o vide by their intervening spaces a seri s. of peck ets each-adapted to receiveand support anenvej lope; in combination with means on the outside Of'OIlQfOf said substantially vertical courses for delivering successivefreshly glued,envelopes'lnto said pockets, and means ontheinside of the other chains and extending transversely between them,

to provide by their intervening spaces a series of pockets each adapted to receive and support an envelope, in combination with means on the outside of one of said substantially vertical courses for delivering successive freshly-glued envelopes into said pockets, and means on the inside of the other substantially vertical course for withdrawing such envelopes after drying of their glue, from said pockets by a movement which in each case is a continuation or extension of the delivery movement.

11. In drier mechanism for envelope machines, an endless conveyor having opposite substantially vertical courses and opposite substantially horizontal courses, and comprising two parallel laterally spaced chains connected for movement in unison, with a series of closelyspaced leaves or fingers supported at their ends by said chains and extending transversely between them, to provide by their intervening spaces a series of pockets each adapted to receive and support an envelope, in combination with means for feeding successive freshlyglued envelopes to the outside open portions of said pockets, means for stopping each so-fed envelope in position to be gripped between the two leaves or fingers of its pocket, and means fer withdrawing such envelopes, after drying of the glue thereon, from the inside open portions of said pockets.

12. In drier mechanism for envelope machines, an endless conveyor having opposite substantially vertical courses and opposite substantially horizontal courses, and comprising two parallel laterally spaced chains connected for movement in unison, with a series of closelyspaced leaves or fingers supported at their ends by said chains and extending transversely between them, to provide by their intervening spaces a series of pockets each adapted to receive and support an envelope, in combination with means for feeding successive freshly-glued envelopes to the outside open portions of said pockets, as the latter traverse one of said substantially vertical courses, means for stopping each so-fed envelope in position to be gripped between the two leaves or fingers of its pocket, and means for withdrawing such envelopes from the inside open portions of said pockets, as the latter traverse the other of said substantially vertical courses.

VINCENT E. HEYWOOD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 864,493 Swift Aug. 2'7, 1907 1,434,504 Schlafiy Nov. 7, 1922 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 22,057 Great Britain Sept. 30, 1913 619,600 Germany Oct. 4, 1935 

